While surfing initially brought Santa Cruz global recognition, another sport has been quietly gaining momentum, drawing international enthusiasts over the past two decades: mountain biking. This Californian haven, often called “Surf City,” has become a true epicenter for mountain biking, boasting year-round favorable riding conditions and world-class trails conveniently located just minutes from your doorstep, whether you’re in a local home or a hotel. If you’re looking for the ultimate Santa Cruz Mountain Bike experience, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether you’re completely new to the exhilarating world of mountain biking or a seasoned rider who grew up conquering singletracks, Santa Cruz offers a trail perfectly suited for your skill level and adventurous spirit. To guide you through the diverse terrain, we consulted with local experts: Emma Ussat from Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (MBOSC), Roxy Lo, the innovative frame designer at Ibis, and Alexis Morgan, the Vice President of the impactful Girls Rock organization. They share their top trail recommendations in the area, offer invaluable advice for newcomers to the sport, and emphasize how to engage in responsible biking practices, ensuring respect for both fellow riders and the precious trails themselves.
Beginner-Friendly Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Trails: Ease into the Ride
For those just starting their mountain biking journey, Santa Cruz provides several welcoming trails to build confidence and skills.
Emma McCrary Trail: The Quintessential Beginner’s Route
Nestled within the scenic Pogonip park, just a short distance from downtown Santa Cruz and the University of California Santa Cruz campus, the Emma McCrary Trail stands out as an ideal starting point. This trail gracefully meanders through a picturesque landscape of oak and bay forests, following a gently babbling creek that you’ll cross twice via charming, sturdy wooden bridges. As you progress, the trail smoothly ascends into the cool, refreshing embrace of a redwood forest before seamlessly connecting to more challenging routes like Rincon and U-con trail at its higher reaches.
Alexis Morgan highlights Emma McCrary’s accessibility and enjoyment factor for beginners: “Emma McCrary is a fantastic beginner route for an out and back that’s very accessible,” says Morgan. “It’s a lot of fun and very user friendly.”
This trail is celebrated as a “flow trail,” meaning it’s designed for a continuous, flowing ride with minimal pedaling required, adding to its beginner-friendliness and enjoyment. Remarkably, Emma McCrary is also recognized as the most sustainable trail in Santa Cruz, impressively withstanding around 80,000 trips annually. Constructed in March 2012 through the dedicated efforts of over 300 volunteers who contributed more than 3,500 hours of labor, the trail’s design incorporates berms (banked turns), jumps, and rollers (purposefully built dirt mounds for riders to navigate). Crucially, it includes integrated drainage systems that effectively minimize erosion, showcasing thoughtful trail building for longevity and environmental respect.
Emma Ussat’s enthusiasm for Emma McCrary is infectious: “Every time I ride Emma McCrary I like it even more,” says Ussat. “It’s just super awesome, super fun, and flows really well. I love how you can have fun going uphill and downhill because it’s not super steep.”
Alternative Beginner Options: Aptos Creek Fire Road & Old Cove Landing Trail
For beginners seeking even gentler terrain, the initial 4.5 miles of the Aptos Creek Fire Road in Nisene Marks State Park present an easy, flat doubletrack option, virtually eliminating inclines. Alternatively, the Old Cove Landing Trail in Wilder Ranch State Park provides a scenic coastal ride with captivating ocean vistas, perfect for a leisurely introduction to mountain biking.
Advanced Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Trails: Conquer the Challenge
For experienced mountain bikers seeking adrenaline-pumping thrills and technical challenges, Santa Cruz does not disappoint.
Soquel Demonstration Forest Flow Trail: A Top-Rated Thrill Ride
While all Santa Cruz mountain biking trails are designated for multi-use, the Soquel Demonstration Forest Flow Trail is undeniably a haven for bikers, where they truly dominate the landscape. Situated within Nisene Marks State Park, this trail has earned accolades, notably being rated as the #1 flow trail in the U.S. by the esteemed mountain biking review site Singletracks.
Prepare for demanding climbs and technically intricate drops on this trail. While these features cater to advanced riders, Emma Ussat reassures that bypass options are available if a section feels too challenging, making it somewhat adaptable for strong intermediate riders willing to push their boundaries. In addition to these features, the trail is replete with berms, jumps, and rollers, creating a thrilling rollercoaster ride through the forest.
Scenic Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Trails: Ride with a View
Santa Cruz’s coastal location provides the perfect backdrop for mountain biking with breathtaking views.
Wilder Ridge Loop: Coastal Vistas and Wildflowers
The Wilder Ridge Loop, a 4-mile trail in Wilder Ranch State Park, offers a visually stunning experience. It ascends through vibrant coastal grasslands, often adorned with colorful wildflowers, rewarding bikers with panoramic views of the sparkling blue Pacific Ocean. For those desiring a more extended adventure, this loop conveniently connects to several other trails, including the Baldwin Loop and the intriguingly named Enchanted Loop, allowing for customizable ride lengths and exploration.
Diverse Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Trails: Explore Varied Landscapes
For riders wanting a taste of everything Santa Cruz has to offer, diverse trails that showcase varied ecosystems are the way to go.
The Old Cabin Classic: A Journey Through Diverse Terrains
The Old Cabin Classic, technically the route of an annual race held every May, begins on the ocean side of Wilder State Park, near a historic dairy ranch. This 11-mile route takes riders on a captivating journey through a diverse range of landscapes, including chaparral, oak woodlands, open coastal prairie, and serene redwood forests.
Alexis Morgan highlights the trail’s comprehensive appeal: “Wilder incorporates challenging climbing, beautiful vistas, and really fun, challenging drops and turns that go through the Enchanted Loop (my favorite trail),” says Morgan.
Enchanted Loop: A Hidden Gem within Wilder
While the Enchanted Loop might not boast expansive ocean views, it offers a unique and tranquil riding experience. This singletrack trail winds blissfully through lush carpets of redwood clover, sheltered beneath a dense canopy of towering Sequoia sempervirens. In 2016, MBOSC undertook a rerouting project on the climb to rehabilitate a severely eroded section and enhance the overall riding experience, demonstrating their commitment to trail maintenance and improvement.
Emma Ussat describes the Enchanted Loop’s distinct charm: “It has a really fun technical descent that goes through towering bay trees and madrones down into the valley,” explains Ussat, “Then you go through the fern gulley and you take this really mellow, beautiful climb back to the top.”
Guided Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Tours
For those who prefer expert guidance or are new to the area, guided mountain bike tours are an excellent option.
Ride the Redwoods & The Ride Guides: Expert Local Knowledge
Ride the Redwoods offers guided tours tailored to various preferences, whether you’re seeking cross-country rides with ocean views or adrenaline-fueled descents on technical trails, or a blend of both. Beyond guided rides, they also provide individual and group instruction to hone your mountain biking skills.
The Ride Guides, with over two decades of experience, boasts a team of professional mountain biking guides and coaches. They are dedicated to helping riders discover their ideal Santa Cruz trail, customizing tours to match skill levels and interests, from beginners to seasoned riders. They are also passionate advocates for Santa Cruz’s environment, eager to share their knowledge of the redwood forests and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary with visitors.
Girls Rock & MBOSC Dig Days: Community Rides and Trail Maintenance
If you’re simply looking for riding companions, Girls Rock organizes public rides monthly, weather permitting. During wetter periods unsuitable for riding, MBOSC hosts Dig Days, providing a fantastic opportunity to socialize with fellow mountain bikers while contributing to the upkeep of the trails you love.
Where to Rent a Bike in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz boasts not only a thriving mountain biking scene but also a robust cycling retail presence with 11 bike shops and headquarters for leading mountain bike manufacturers like Santa Cruz Bicycles, Ibis, Juliana, and Specialized.
For bike rentals, consider Epicenter Cycling in Aptos, Another Bike Shop on the Westside, Spokesman in downtown Santa Cruz, or the Family Cycling Center in Pleasure Point.
If you’re interested in electric mountain bikes for extra assistance on climbs, Current eBikes offers a selection. However, it’s crucial to verify trail legality for e-bikes beforehand, as they are not permitted on all trails.
Tips for Responsible Santa Cruz Mountain Biking
Respect for the trails and other users is paramount to maintaining a positive mountain biking culture in Santa Cruz.
Stick to Legal Trails: Respecting Trail Access
A crucial aspect of mountain biking responsibly in Santa Cruz is adhering to legal trails. Experts Lo, Ussat, and Morgan emphasize the importance of staying on designated legal trails. MBOSC actively collaborates with the City to expand legitimate trail access for mountain bikers, fostering a welcoming community.
Check Conditions: Trail Openings and Closures
Always check trail conditions before heading out. Trails may be temporarily closed due to storm damage, maintenance, or prescribed burns, particularly common in Wilder Ranch State Park. Local bike shops, MBOSC’s website, and social media channels are reliable sources for trail status updates.
When It’s Wet, Grab a Beer Instead: Protect the Trails
Avoid riding in the rain and mud. Riding on wet trails causes significant damage and erosion, is detrimental to your bike, and increases the risk of falls and injuries. Instead, consider a hike and beer combination as a responsible and enjoyable alternative.
Be Prepared: Safety First
Roxy Lo advises riders to be self-reliant and prepared when riding in the forest. Always ride with a buddy, carry a map, and be aware that cell service can be unreliable on many trails.
Keep it Friendly: Multi-Use Trail Etiquette
Remember that Santa Cruz trails are multi-use. Be courteous and respectful to all trail users, including hikers and equestrians. A friendly greeting goes a long way in fostering a positive trail environment.
Santa Cruz truly offers a mountain biking experience for everyone, from beginner-friendly flow trails to challenging advanced routes and stunning scenic rides. By exploring these trails responsibly and respectfully, you’ll contribute to the thriving mountain biking community and ensure the preservation of these natural treasures for years to come. Plan your Santa Cruz mountain bike adventure today!
